A new history, "Sarah takes on Big Oil" by Kay Cashman and Kristen Nelson, delivers the story of Palin's stormy relationship with Alaska's three major oil companies as governor of Alaska.

As people seek to learn more about Alaska's first woman governor, a recurring question emerges: How did she meet the challenge of balancing the interests of the people of Alaska against those of the state's major oil and gas companies, which supply the lifeblood of the area's economy?

"Sarah takes on Big Oil" helps answer those questions, said Steve Sutherlin, a collaborator on the book, which is being released Oct. 12 by Anchorage-based PNA Publishing, an affiliate of Petroleum News, Alaska's only standalone oil and gas publication.

The authors, Kay Cashman and Kristen Nelson, are uniquely qualified to tell the story of Palin and her dealings with the oil industry.

Cashman is the publisher and executive editor of Petroleum News, an independent news-driven weekly newspaper. Cashman is also a novelist and a people person. She knows the people in Palin's story, and people know Cashman as a journalist who can be trusted with sensitive information, on and off the record.

Nelson, editor-in-chief of Petroleum News, has maintained a long-time eye on Alaska government and its interactions with the state's most lucrative industry.

Cashman and Nelson are the ideal team to deliver a three-dimensional portrait of the Palin administration and the unusual circumstances that have bracketed her leadership.

The authors bring a perspective based on knowledge rarely available to general news reporters. As a result, "Sarah takes on Big Oil" is a good read, full of lively personalities and verifiable facts -- facts that back up the compelling story of Alaska's most popular governor.

Sutherlin said preorders for the Oct. 12 hardcover release will be shipped first. "Sarah takes on Big Oil" will be on retailers' shelves in mid-October, Sutherlin said.

PNA Publishing is a division of Petroleum Newspapers of Alaska LLC. To learn more: http://www.petroleumnews.com/

(907) 522-9469

PRESS AVAILABILITY: "Sarah takes on Big Oil," flat cover and/or full jacket, photos of the authors, photo of Steve Sutherlin

Snippets from "Sarah takes on Big Oil":

"Let me help you out if you're looking for skeletons in my closet. I got a D in a macro-econ course 24 years ago in college (and) hollered at the wrong kid this morning for not taking out the garbage."

-Sarah Palin, The Associated Press, August 2006, during Alaska gubernatorial campaign

"With Frank Murkowski and Ben Stevens in charge, it's like the Night of the Living Dead. We're being guided by two people whose political careers are over."

-Sen. Hollis French, D-Anchorage, Petroleum News, Aug. 27, 2006, after incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski lost to Sarah Palin in the Republican primary, and after Alaska Senate President Ben Stevens' office was searched by the FBI as part of an ongoing investigation into political corruption in Alaska.

"In my personal belief, we have gone from being in front of the curve to being in back of the curve ... ."

-Joe Marushack, vice president of gas development for ConocoPhillips Alaska, told the Alaska Legislature's Senate Resources Committee early in February 2007, after Sarah Palin became governor and scrapped the fiscal contract ConocoPhillips, BP and ExxonMobil had negotiated with the previous governor.

"How does Gov. Palin manage it all? The kids, family, responsibilities as governor?"

-Kay Cashman, author, "Sarah takes on Big Oil"

"She doesn't do anything else. It's all kids and work. ... Her idea of a big night out is a barbecue in her backyard."

-Judy Patrick, photographer and close friend to Palin

PNA Publishing

CONTACT: Press, Steve Sutherlin, steve@petroleumnews.com, or WashingtonD.C., Candice Ngo, cango@petroleumnews.com, or London, Amy Spittler,aspittler@petroleumnews.com, all book collaborators for PNA Publishing,+1-907-522-9469

Web site: http://www.petroleumnews.com/http://www.sarahtakesonbigoil.com/